...
The conversation involved a few Dōshin from the South Division whom Aoto did not recognize.
Listening to their conversation just now, Aoto thought to himself:
——It seems the news of Ii Dairou personally attending and presiding over today's examination has already spread completely...
Aoto had never met Ii Naosuke, after all, he was just a lowly Dōshin, with a humble status, and did not have the opportunity to meet this country's current supreme power holder. He had only heard some anecdotes about Ii Naosuke.
According to what Aoto knew, Ii Naosuke was a legendary and remarkable man.
He was originally the 13th Daimyo of the Hikone Domain: the 14th son born to Ii Naomasa and his concubine.
Ranked 14th... theoretically, no matter how it was turned, he would never have a chance to inherit the position of Daimyo.
